interesting and important subject, belongs to the Essay, "on the Theory and use of Moral Fiction." Maria Edgeworth, has confessedly executed the most delicate and difficult office of moral fiction, with far greater ability and skill than any of her predecessors, or contemporaries: Yet all that she has done, is but the type and shadow of what remains to be achieved, by the geniuses who are hereafter destined to soar with aeronautic skill, into this truth-illumined sphere. But although more, infinitely more! remains to be accomplished, Maria Edgeworth has done much. Intimately conversant with the profoundest disquisitions of moral philosophy, and accustomed to analyze all the varieties and anomalies of human nature, as they are reflected in the mirror of biography and history, or as they exist in the characters of her contemporaries of both sexes, and of all classes; uniting the highest power of genius, invention, with its fairest ornament, cultivated taste, and its surest safe-guard, an enlightened conscience; and adding to these rare endowments, the scarcely less rare and valuable habit of accurate observation of life and manners; she has not only risen to unrivalled eminence, but soared to a solitary elevation, in this species of composition. Proudly she will not, scornfully she can not, but she may securely look down, on the most successful of her predecessors and on the most successful also, of her living rivals. Illustrious, blessed, enviably happy woman! she may look forward, as far as her mind's eye can reach, on the good which her "works" have done, are now doing, and the greater good, which they will hereafter do. She may survey, (but she cannot number!) the fathers and mothers, the sons and daughters, the human creatures of both sexes; at every stage of existence, and in every condition of society, whom she has instructed and delighted. To that glorious elevation, can ascend only the according plaudits of the tribunals of criticism and taste, sounded by fame's adamantine trump, whilst far below, the murmurs of envy and illiberality, expire on faultering lips and alienated ears. ADDITIONAL NOTES. IN consequence of the unusual, and, in some measure, unavoidable haste, with which the contents of this volume were prepared for the press; several notes have been excluded from the pages containing the passages to which they refer: The notes thus excluded are here subjoined, with distinct reference to the appropriate passages. The following note ought to be read in connexion with the 5th paragraph of page 7th, of the first Essay. But if we take a more enlarged and philosophical view of oratory, even the theorems of mathematical, and the principles of physical science, may fall within the legitimate sphere of this glorious art. This opinion, however startling and paradoxical it may seem, is not wholly indefensible. Imagine, a great mathematician or natural philosopher, demonstrating such a theorem, or elucidating such a principle, in the presence of an audience, sufficiently enlightened to comprehend the progressive steps of his reasoning, as they are embodied by the utterance of the speaker: Imagine, that with perfect distinctness of articulation, propriety of emphasis, a modulation of voice agreeable to the ear, and suitable dignity and vivacity of manner; he unfolds a principle, that en larges the boundaries of human knowledge, and reveals the arcana of nature, to the inquiring mind. Feeling the most unshaken conviction of its truth and importance; and elevated by a consciousness of intellectual dignity, superiority, and power; with what earnestness does he investigate, with what perspicuity develop, with what felicity illustrate, its evidence and utility? But it is asked, can oratory be displayed, in an appeal to the understanding solely? in reasoning merely, with logical precision from incontrovertible principles? Is not the excitement of the imagination and passions, essential to all the exertions of this art? What! do no emotions accompany the discovery, development, and illustration of a new and important truth? Whilst the exhibition of its evidence concentrates the attention, and calls forth all the energy of the understanding, is not imagination at the same time busy, in anticipating its future uses and applications? But a graceful and impassioned elocution is essential to every exertion, and to the very existence of oratory; and can an elocution of this sort be displayed, in the development of abstract truth? Displayed! ay, with irresistible energy. Can the countenance be vacant, or the ey be dim, the hand motionless, or the utterance frigid or monotonous; when the light of eternal truth irradiates the understanding, when the heart swells with the divine enthusiasm which it inspires, and with a lively anticipation of the unspeakable benefits, which it has in store for mankind. Of faculties and feelings thus stimulated and expanded, an impressive, although not a graceful elevation, becomes the spontaneous emanation, the natural interpreter: Thus roused and irradiated, the effulgent mind, seems for the moment, to “cast a beam on the outward shape." These were the themes of the oratory, that ravished the senses and the soul of Adam, as it flowed from the lips of Raphael: Whilst Adam listened to this seraphic oratory, he be |